Understanding the CBP Home Program: Procedures to Depart and Re-Enter the U.S.

Short Summary

The CBP Home app offers eligible undocumented individuals a voluntary self-deportation option with up to $1,000 financial assistance and travel help after confirmed departure from the U.S., but re-entry may trigger multi-year bans depending on unlawful presence duration. 1 (https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-cbp-home/) 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) 3 (

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

CBP Home App Process (https://via.placeholder.com/800x400/007BFF/FFFFFF?text=)

Image description: A simple illustrative graphic showing a smartphone with a home icon, an airplane departing the U.S., and a checkmark for confirmation, using blue and white colors on a clean background with no text.

What is the CBP Home Program?

The CBP Home mobile app, available on Google Play and Apple App Store, allows eligible undocumented aliens in the U.S. to voluntarily notify the government of their intent to depart, avoiding arrest, detention, or ICE enforcement. 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

It provides free assistance including a $1,000 exit bonus upon confirmed departure and help with airfare or travel documents. 1 (https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-cbp-home/) 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

Eligibility includes non-criminal undocumented individuals encountered by CBP, those with categorical parole, and even people in immigration proceedings or prior deportees. 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

If I take advantage of CBP Home to go home, what is the procedure to go home?

- Download the CBP Home app and select your language. 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

- Enter personal details: country of citizenship, A-Number (if applicable), country of origin/destination, valid email, and phone number. 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs) 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

- Take a selfie for identity verification. 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

- Review and submit your intent to depart. 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

- CBP contacts you via phone/email to assist with travel booking, documents, and arrangements—respond promptly with accurate info like plane tickets if requested. 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

- Depart the U.S. (e.g., by air) and confirm departure; $1,000 bonus is issued after verification. 1 (https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-cbp-home/) 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

Users report smooth processes but occasional delays in bonus payments post-departure. 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US)

What is the procedure to come back?

There is no guaranteed "come back" procedure via CBP Home, as it facilitates one-way voluntary departure. 1 (https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-cbp-home/) 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

Re-entry depends on U.S. immigration laws:

- If unlawfully present >180 days, a 3-year re-entry bar applies; >1 year triggers a 10-year bar. 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

- Prior deportation or in-absentia removal orders (e.g., missing court dates after leaving) impose a 10-year bar. 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

- Waivers may be possible for family/employment petitions, but success is not assured. 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

Leaving via CBP Home does not forgive bars or guarantee future visas—consult an immigration attorney before deciding. 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

Key Risks and Considerations

- Financial Incentive Timing: $1,000 paid after confirmed exit; some users report follow-up requests for proof like tickets. 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US)

- No Arrest Guarantee: Prioritizes deprioritization from ICE, but not foolproof. 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs)

- Legal Consequences: Voluntary departure avoids formal removal in some cases but can trigger bars if in proceedings. 4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/)

#CBPHome #SelfDeportation #VoluntaryDeparture #ImmigrationApp #CBPApp #USBorder #DeportationProcess #ExitBonus #TravelAssistance #UnlawfulPresence #ReentryBan #DHSApp #ImmigrationRights #CBPOne #AlienReturn

References

1 (https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-cbp-home/) NILC - Know Your Rights: CBP Home

2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.cbphome&hl=en_US) Google Play - CBP Home App

3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtTgBv0zMLs) YouTube - Voluntarily Self-Deport - CBP Home App (U.S. CBP, Jun 30, 2025)

4 (https://houstonimmigration.org/cbp-home-can-the-rebranded-cbp-one-app-actually-offer-me-1000/) Houston Immigration - CBP Home: Can it Offer $1,000?

Header image

A simple and clean illustration representing the CBP Home program, featuring elements like a smartphone displaying the CBP Home app logo, an airplane taking off, and a diverse group of people looking hopeful as they prepare to travel, all set against a backdrop of a border checkpoint, utilizing blue and white colors to convey a sense of safety and assistance, with no text included. (attachment://generated_image.png)